Rare PS2 Games?

[Overbite]

Definetly Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

Thats not rare, thats just expensive. My local Gamestop has 4 copies of it for $70 each

[smork]

Choro Q has been mentioned as rare, but Dallas's Fry's Electronics stores literally have a hundred on their shelves across their 4 locations. So many in fact that they've put them on sale right now for $6.99. If 'rare' means 'dirt common', then sure, it's rare.

Yeah, that's a really far from rare game. I've seen literally hundreds of Choro Q as well.

I agree with Gepeto -- we need some sort of informed way of calling something rare. Actual print numbers would be a nice start to that.

[mailman187666]

the rarity guide has been updated in the PS2 section and it says the rarest game is the Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence LE (R5). I took a look at the list and it seems pretty accurate to me. Check it out, it may be some help.

[Pascal]

where can i find the rarity guide?

[sabre2922]

we need some sort of informed way of calling something rare. Actual print numbers would be a nice start to that.

You know maybe the whole rare Xbox/GC/PS2 games thing doesnt do overall justice to the subject of what may bring more value to the last-gens games on said systems.

OK ill try to explain.

I think that many PS2 games will be worth more $$$ as time goes on not bc they are "rare" in the sense of actual low production numbers but since some will be in MUCH MORE DEMAND than more common games.

Sure some Xbox1 and GC games will be sought after as well.

Im sure that Capcom vs. Marvel 2 will stay at a hefty price when compared to say madden2005 obviously even though C vs. M 2 was released on the Xbox1 and GC also.

now about Capcom vs. SNK 2 PS2 ? the copy I picked up is the ONLY copy ive seen in over a year. How common or uncommon is this game?

[Oobgarm]

now about Capcom vs. SNK 2 PS2 ? the copy I picked up is the ONLY copy ive seen in over a year. How common or uncommon is this game?

BORDERLINE uncommon. That's pushing it. It's got a '2' rating in the guide. The only reason you don't see it out there a lot is because there isn't much demand for it. If they start selling for a large amount of money(doubtful), expect the market to fill up quickly.

[Oobgarm]

where can i find the rarity guide?

http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/search.cmf

It used to be on the forum page, but is now only linked on the main digitpress.com home page.

[Pascal]

thanks !

[mobile2k]

Spamz is not a rare PS2 game.

[CelticJobber]

Will variant covers be considered rare or valuable one day?

Just for example, WWE Smackdown VS Raw 2007 on PS2 was sold at Circuit City (and possibly Best Buy) with a bonus DVD of WWE previews. On the bottom edge of the front cover it has an orange strip that says "includes bonus disc" (not a sticker, its printed on the cover) are variants like this sought after in the collector's market?

[Oobgarm]

I'm gonna say no.

There will be a few isolated incidents of people wanting every variant, but on the whole, you're not going to see a lot of interest, even in the collector market.

The only incidents where something like that is going to be prevalent is when the game was not a high-profile release like a WWE game. RPGs and niche titles will see the most action in that regard.

[orrimarrko]

Thats not rare, thats just expensive. My local Gamestop has 4 copies of it for $70 each

It's expensive because it kicks ass, not because it's rare. Because it kicks ass, people hang on to their copies. Thus the price hike, and the perception that it's rare.

[roushimsx]

It's expensive because it kicks ass

I so strongly disagree about its ass kickingness. Honestly, if it weren't for the music, I probably would have grown to love the game. Sometimes, very rarely, bad music CAN completely ruin a game for someone. :(

Anyone seen the going prices of SMT: Nocturne on eBay as of late? Jesus christ, it's enough to make me want to part with my copy + guidebook.

[norkusa]

BORDERLINE uncommon. That's pushing it. It's got a '2' rating in the guide.

To call MvC2 a step above the most common PS2 games like Madden or GTA is a bit ridiculous. The game isn't rare by any means but it's not *that* common. It's a '3' at the very least.

[G-Boobie]

It's seems like every time this conversation comes up it's "ebay ebay ebay". Silent Hill sells on ebay for fifty bucks. So now someone is trading it in buying and selling, and someone offers Gunstar Heroes for it...and that's not good enough! Now it takes more than Gunstar Heroes to get Silent Hill. What kind of crazy shit is that?

Yeah, Ebay is just as often a problem as it is a help.

I remember being able to find deals out there in the wild. Now, all anyone with ANYTHING of value has to do is boot up Ebay and they immediately have a perceived value.... It sort of takes away the thrill of the hunt. It's not just games, obviously, but since that's what we collect....

[Pezcore343]

Isn't ICO a pretty rare ps2 title? I know it can still be found in a select few GameStops if you're lucky, but those are usually the stores out in the boonies who have 5 customers a week.

[heybtbm]

Yeah, Ebay is just as often a problem as it is a help.

I remember being able to find deals out there in the wild. Now, all anyone with ANYTHING of value has to do is boot up Ebay and they immediately have a perceived value.... It sort of takes away the thrill of the hunt. It's not just games, obviously, but since that's what we collect....

This is so true. One of the local used video game stores here in Madison uses ebay as a pricing guide (regardless of the items condition). It usually results in a few good laughs everytime I stop in.

"$49.99 for the scratched up, disc only, Greatest Hits copy of SotN? Um...no thanks."

[Kitsune Sniper]

Isn't ICO a pretty rare ps2 title? I know it can still be found in a select few GameStops if you're lucky, but those are usually the stores out in the boonies who have 5 customers a week.

I believe it got a GameQuestDirect reprint, so it's not -that- rare anymore. My local Gamestop has a "new" copy for $20.

Also, MvsC2 is a horribly broken game with truly awful music. (The only other Capcom game which features music that's a lot worse is SF3: Third Strike.) It's not worth even close to $15.

[mailman187666]

It's expensive because it kicks ass, not because it's rare. Because it kicks ass, people hang on to their copies. Thus the price hike, and the perception that it's rare.

In my opinion, just because there is a lot of copies of a game like Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 that have been produced and sold in stores doesn't mean it isn't rare. Like what was said before, everynody wants to hang onto thier copies, meaning that available copies become harder to find. If nobody wants to get rid of thier copy of the game, it is going to be considered rare because the amount of available copies are slim. So maybe the game itself isn't rare, but the availability of the game could probably be considered rare.

[heybtbm]

The only other Capcom game which features music that's a lot worse is SF3: Third Strike

WHAT?

You are in the severe minority with that opinion. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike has one of the best fighting game soundtracks...ever. The Dudley, Ken/Alex, and Elena stage songs ARE the best fighting game songs ever. Madness!

[Kitsune Sniper]

WHAT?

You are in the severe minority with that opinion. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike has one of the best fighting game soundtracks...ever. The Dudley, Ken/Alex, and Elena stage songs ARE the best fighting game songs ever. Madness!

Are you sure you don't mean Second Impact? Why did they choose really bad hip-hop for third strike? I can't stand the game because of the music.

Edit: Gah, veering dangerously off-topic here. Sorry. >_>

[Pezcore343]

i know that my gamestop has one copy of jurassic park operation genesis for ps2 which is listed at 49.99 used. so i'm assuming it's quite rare since i doubt there is much demand.

[evil_genius]

Yeah cuz I play fighting games for the music.

[Dave Farquhar]

This is so true. One of the local used video game stores here in Madison uses ebay as a pricing guide (regardless of the items condition). It usually results in a few good laughs everytime I stop in.

"$49.99 for the scratched up, disc only, Greatest Hits copy of SotN? Um...no thanks."

Eventually people who sell collectibles either learn that condition and variations matter, or they end up sitting on a really big pile of overpriced inventory. For now eBay has made things a lot worse--and for all collectibles, whether you're into video games or anything else.

Another thing that people forget is that eBay listings have people from literally all over the world looking, which is a lot different from something sitting in a glass case in a corner shop. If they want an eBay price, odds are they're going to have to sell on eBay. That's what a small camera shop where one of my friends used to work learned. The owner found he could get higher prices on eBay than the local market would support, so any time I walked into the store, there Mike was, plinking away on his Thinkpad on eBay. Eventually he closed the shop and now he just runs his business on eBay and all he has is some warehouse space.

I'm sure we all have stories where we picked something up, asked how much, and the person said, "I saw one for a hundred on eBay." It doesn't happen to me EVERY weekend, but it happens often enough. The funny thing is, usually when I find something that actually is valuable, it's priced really cheap.

[Kevincal]

World of Outlaws: Sprintcars 2002

It's a great racing game too... Goes for about $50 used on eBay last time I checked, but it's been awhile...

[MarioMania]

If MvsC2 is like in the $70 range at Gamestop and like $90 on ebay...Why dosn't the DC version sell that high, DC version is better

[roushimsx]

If MvsC2 is like in the $70 range at Gamestop and like $90 on ebay...Why dosn't the DC version sell that high, DC version is better

Probably because everyone that has a DC and likes the game has either picked it up already or has pirated the hell out of it.

[G-Boobie]

.....For now eBay has made things a lot worse--and for all collectibles, whether you're into video games or anything else.

Another thing that people forget is that eBay listings have people from literally all over the world looking, which is a lot different from something sitting in a glass case in a corner shop. If they want an eBay price, odds are they're going to have to sell on eBay. That's what a small camera shop where one of my friends used to work learned. The owner found he could get higher prices on eBay than the local market would support, so any time I walked into the store, there Mike was, plinking away on his Thinkpad on eBay. Eventually he closed the shop and now he just runs his business on eBay and all he has is some warehouse space.

.... The funny thing is, usually when I find something that actually is valuable, it's priced really cheap.

Yeah, exactly my point.

I don't think there's a local used video game shop around that doesn't do the majority of their business via Ebay; either through sales or the acquisition of new stock. I know that a lot of members here own or work at local shops; correct me if I'm wrong.

The REAL problem with Ebay is that the 'Ebay price' ends up becoming the standard; which is why people have Gamestops with FOUR copies of MvC2 at what, seventy bucks? And someone, having seen that game sell for that price on Ebay, will gladly pay it for the convenience of not having it shipped, and think they got a deal.

If I find a valuable game for cheap, it's usually because I'm trolling pawn shops or thrift stores. Has anyone made a notable score from a Gamestop or local store lately?

[Promophile]

Has anyone made a notable score from a Gamestop or local store lately?

In the last 4 years I've found 2 R7+ Playstation games at Gamestops (Psychic Detective and Zoop) as well as UFO Defense and Bust a Groove 2.

[Pezcore343]

I made quite a few deals at Gamestop recently, but only because I was digging through the playstation and n64 boxes in the back room and got the games for 85% off. Although not many of them were terribly rare.

[thjufgikig]

Polaroid Pete, it is a great game.

[Bojay1997]

Polaroid Pete, it is a great game.

That was never released unfortunately.

[colicub]

Well, since I live in the UK, I can only think of PAL releases that are rare (or even uncommon) but they have to include:

Freak Out! (aka Stretch Panic. It's made by Treasure which already makes it collectable, but the different covers and the fact that it didn't do too well make it quite hard to find)
Rez (yeah, I know it was re-released in the US, but not over here, so it's still quite hard to find)
Gradius III & IV (getting really hard to find, even though it's not that good)
Gradius V (Treasure and Konami, combined with pretty low print run make this potentially valuable)
La Pucelle: Tactics (I've only seen this game for sale about twice)
Psychonauts (ok, maybe not overly rare, but it's destined to become a future classic)
Space Channel 5 (been looking for this for months, still a pain to find)
Space Channel 5 Part 2 (I bought my copy from Australia, the company I bought it from went bust, and it took me MONTHS to track down another!)

It's also probable that a lot of the late-release or budget games that are quite good or memorable are liable to be rare, such as the Gunbird Special Edition or Ninjabread Man.

As ever, YMMV.

[RadiantSvgun]

In the future, all those Shin Megami Tensei games will be rare.

[norkusa]

In the future, all those Shin Megami Tensei games will be rare.

Not unless Atlus keeps reprinting them.

[roushimsx]

Not unless Atlus keeps reprinting them.

Hopefully they do keep printing them and drive the price down on those copies of Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga. More people need to be enticed into playing 'em. They drove the price down on Persona 2 and both Devil Summoner and DDS2 are cheap as beans right now, but Nocturne and DDS are fairly prohibitively priced (as far as used games go).

[Promophile]

Hopefully they do keep printing them and drive the price down on those copies of Nocturne and Digital Devil Saga. More people need to be enticed into playing 'em. They drove the price down on Persona 2 and both Devil Summoner and DDS2 are cheap as beans right now, but Nocturne and DDS are fairly prohibitively priced (as far as used games go).

I find it funny that the price of Persona 1 has skyrocketed to 60+. Just a few years ago it was ~20 dollars.

[yok-dfa]

Anyone have an idea what rare PAL PS2 titles are?

[misfits859]

I find it funny that the price of Persona 1 has skyrocketed to 60+. Just a few years ago it was ~20 dollars.

On a similar and slightly related note, I've noticed that Persona 3 has been creeping up slightly lately on ebay. I haven't noticed any in the stores in my area lately either.

[ScourDX]

Uncommon PS2 games

- Castle Shikigami
- Mister Mosquito
- Way of the Samurai 2
- Virtual on Marz
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Growlanser: Generations Deluxe
- Growlanser: Heritage of War
- Stella Deus
- Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia
- Metropolismania
- Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil
- King of Fighter 00/01
- King of Fighter 02/03
- Monster Hunter
- Steambot Chronicles
- Super Bust-A-Move 2

[yok-dfa]

Uncommon PS2 games

...

I assume these are all NTSC?

[josekortez]

I assume these are all NTSC?

Yeah, although I don't know about Castle Shikigami 2 and Metropolismania. I've been to several Gamestops and even though both games are now down to $5.99 used, I've seen several copies just lying around there, although I keep buying duplicate copies of CS2.

[yok-dfa]

Both Castle Shikigame 2 and Metropolismania exist in PAL format too. I think only these games do not exist in PAL:

- Virtual on Marz
- Growlanser: Generations Deluxe
- Growlanser: Heritage of War

[Three-P]

Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Ico, and that's all I can think of.

[G-Boobie]

On a similar and slightly related note, I've noticed that Persona 3 has been creeping up slightly lately on ebay. I haven't noticed any in the stores in my area lately either.

Yeah, it's an Atlus game. Even reprints go for ridiculous amounts on the aftermarket.

I saw a horribly beaten copy of Nocturn at a Gamestop a couple weeks ago; the used price tag said eighty bucks. Its a sad, sad world.

[gepeto]

I went by a gamestop and saw jurassic park for the ps2 selling used for 49.00. I was like wow that is high for that game.

[coreys429]

Grand theft auto 3

How is this rare?

[coreys429]

Nascar: Dirt to Daytona rare one to find, as well as MX 2002 with Rickey Carmichael. BMX XXX in my area was hard to find for the longest time.

[Oobgarm]

Uncommon PS2 games

- Way of the Samurai 2
- Virtual on Marz
- Growlanser: Heritage of War
- Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia
- Metropolismania
- King of Fighter 00/01
- King of Fighter 02/03
- Monster Hunter
- Steambot Chronicles
- Super Bust-A-Move 2

These may be borderline uncommon in the future, but easily locatable with a bit of looking-perhaps with Growlanser being the only exception if we're considering the deluxe version.

[xfrumx]

Yeah, it's an Atlus game. Even reprints go for ridiculous amounts on the aftermarket.

I saw a horribly beaten copy of Nocturn at a Gamestop a couple weeks ago; the used price tag said eighty bucks. Its a sad, sad world.

I saw a decent condition copy for $55 or $60, wish i bought it.

[Mangar]

It took me trips to five different Gamestops/EB Games before i found a copy of Theme Park Rollercoaster. One had it in the computer, and me and an employee looked for about 20 minutes before we gave up. The store i finally found it in, an employee checked his computer and told me they had none. I looked anyway, found a box - and WHAM.. Got me a copy for 9.99. Has a noticeable scratch on the DVD, but works fine.

Thats the rarest I've seen. I've seen one copy of G1 Hockey in the wild, but didn't pick it up. Also Heroes of Might and Magic I seen at only one of the stores i've been to. (Also picked that up with Culdcept)

[TonyTheTiger]

The DP store only had two FF7s in the store that I saw, and they were in a glass case (one original and one GH). Also inside the case were Silent Hill, Ehrgeiz, and a couple other games I wouldn't consider especially rare.

I've argued this point before about the DP guide and about the value of games in general, and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm on the right side of it. Those of us who have lived in "DP World" for a long time now are accustomed to thinking in terms of rarity. It's still more or less that way with VCS games...RARITY=DESIRABILITY=VALUE. But I'm beginning to wonder if that model can be applied to NES or PSX games. And I'm not just talking about ebay. Toaster Nintendos have been a big seller in the DP store. Obviously there are millions of them out there.

You can argue (as I always have) that the FF7 thing is an exception to the rule, but it sure seems lately there are an awful lot of "exceptions".

I think the "rules of the game" so to speak have changed and I would attribute that to the growing prominence of the video game industry. Think about what it was like back in the 70s and early 80s. Video games were essentially electronic toys. I don't think anybody back then imagined things would progress to the point where the industry would eventually rival Hollywood in production values and profits. Fast forward a little bit and now you have a number of rare Atari games. So what? Some of them suck. But that doesn't matter because collectors care about the hunt. It's thrilling to score something others can't. The number of collectors outweigh the number of rare Atari cartridges so that drives the value up. But here's the thing: In general, it's only collectors who are fighting over these games.

Now consider how big video games have become. The initial assumption from a collector is that newer games are being printed in higher quantities so they won't be worth as much. Why? Because even though Dual Hearts may have had a printing of only 5,000 that's probably enough to keep collectors happy. They may be right. Dual Hearts may have a small print run but the prices may stay low. I bought a Dual Hearts recently but unless all of a sudden people start thinking "OMG amazing game!" I doubt it will become particularly valuable. But for $8 what do I have to lose?

Now look at FFVII. Millions of copies. But millions of people wanting those copies, perhaps? Not to burst anyone's bubble, but collectors matter very little now in determining prices. The gamer, however, numbers in the millions and collectively determine the value of something even if it may not be rare by the standards of a collector or the DP guide.

Let's look at a handful of games that are notorious on Ebay. Radiant Silvergun, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Akumajo Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy VII. By all accounts, these are far from the rarest of the rare. Some like PDS may not be super easy to find but there are other games that are rarer and actually cheaper. What do all these games have in common, though? Answer: They all rule. They're all genuinely good (if not great) games. What this tells me is that while collectors think in terms of rarity, gamers think in terms of quality. People know Chrono Trigger rules. People therefore want Chrono Trigger. The number of gamers bidding is higher than the number of copies on Ebay at any given point so the prices stay up. Collectors don't factor in at all. While collectors may be scrambling for the R7s, R8s, and R9s that show up on occasion, they are far fewer in number than the millions who want Chrono Trigger.

Explain to me why not too long ago in the DP store I bought Raystorm (R7) for twenty bucks but at the same time there was a boxed copy of Chrono Trigger (R2) sitting in a case for one hundred and twenty bucks? RARITY = DESIRABILITY = VALUE may work in a collector's market but in a gamer's market QUALITY = DESIRABILITY = VALUE. Rarity becomes incidental. The rarer it is, the higher the prices will go but that depends a lot on how many gamers actually want the thing.

In fact, Dragonball GT: Final Bout is probably the best example even though it doesn't qualify as a good game. If I remember correctly, the original Final Bout printing numbered around 10,000. That's roughly where PDS falls I think. Both are R6. Not exactly common but not impossible to find either. Nobody cared about the game. I certainly didn't when I rented it (I was a Dragonball fan before it was cool to be one). But lo and behold, DBZ went to Cartoon Network and exploded. Now everybody wanted this mystical game just because it was Dragonball. These weren't collectors. They were crazy DBZ fanatics.

I have some friends who are highly dedicated to playing games. But I guarantee that if we were browsing old games in a pawn shop, each costing $5, they would flip right past Stadium Events, Tengen Tetris, Fun & Games, and a Cheetahmen II and pick up a Mike Tyson's Punch Out instead. In general they don't know what any of these games are. They would notice a DKC Comp cart or a Star Fox Super Weekend because those are special versions of high profile games. They'd notice a Panzer Dragoon Saga or a Rondo of Blood because of their notoriety. But for the most part, it's not gamers competing over Cheetahmen II cartridges. Collectors need to get the idea out of their head that their demand alone is what determines value. There are too many gamers out there now. Those are the people that determine value. The only time collectors have that much power over prices is when there are so few known copies of something that the game may as well not even exist.

Conclusion: The average gamer doesn't want an old crappy Atari game but he does want Chrono Trigger.

[roushimsx]

Anyone seen the price of Ace Combat Zero on ebay recently ($50+ used)? God damn, what happened there?

Futurama has also been on a hell of an upswing over the last few months. :(

[gepeto]

I am not sure about rare but 2 weeks ago I saw raw danger a budget game priced at 12.99 used. I went today and saw 8 used all with the same day sticker. The game looks different but I can't believe 7 people traded that game in the last week.

[Bojay1997]

Anyone seen the price of Ace Combat Zero on ebay recently ($50+ used)? God damn, what happened there?

Futurama has also been on a hell of an upswing over the last few months. :(

I have sort of a system now for determining when price bumps are going to happen on Ebay for PS2 games that I haven't bought yet. It seems to start when Amazon runs out of copies. Amazon is usually the last or one of the last on-line retailers to have most PS2 games in stock. At that point, I usually have a couple of weeks to try and find a copy at an indie game shop or Circuit City in a "bad neighborhood". Still, Ace Combat Zero isn't hard to find at Circuit City and I'm pretty sure TRU still has it in many stores. I think part of it is just that people are kind of lazy when it comes to looking at alternative sources for games and will just assume if copies on Ebay are being listed with BINs of $50, then that is what the game is worth.

[roushimsx]

Still, Ace Combat Zero isn't hard to find at Circuit City and I'm pretty sure TRU still has it in many stores.

It's still full price at pretty much every B&M store I've seen it at...I've been waiting for the price to drop forever. Figures.... I just picked it up at $30 yesterday and happened to chance across a copy for $20 today at a store that totally did not have a copy the last time I checked. Ended up picking it up and returning the $30 copy. :)

[Jehuty]

Speaking about Pal games , these are a few that seem quite difficult to find.

Valken
Atlantis 3
Shadow Hearts
Drakengard 2
Shadow of Memories
Silent Scope